Pete Anderson is no stranger to these pages, having been featured in an interview, performance review, and record review for his first release on Little Dog. This time around, Pete has come up with a tasty offering in the form of a blues-tinged free-for-all that brings us Gun Dog, his tried-and-true backup band, the redoubtable Taras Prodaniuk (of Dwight fame) on bass, Jim Christie on drums, and veteran Skip Edwards on keys and accordion.

What’s different from the first solo album? For one, although the recording took place at Mad Dog Studios (using Michael Dumas as engineer), production was by Michael and Gary White, taking Pete out of the producer’s chair…which is a good thing, cause he plays his ass off on guitar. The production is clean and tasty, no unnecessary flourishes, and features some of the best guitar I’ve heard in ages. Pete’s vocabulary has expanded since his last outing, and the amount of preproduction shows in the finely-tuned arrangements and tight feel between the band and their formidable leader, Mr. A.

The lead track on the album (ain’t it funny how I still think of them in vinyl terms?) is the rockin’ funky tune “Better Way,” which features a boogie rhythm track and some stinging guitarwork by Pete. The vocals are more assured and confident this time, and the songs are first-rate. The instrumental “Dogs in Heaven” has a snarling lead, wacky tunefulness, and impressive chops. The tune that could have been a throwaway, a remake of “Ain’t that Peculiar,” is a gem – dynamic and soulful, with great energy. What a solid and sweet effort by this master guitarist. With their new, improved distribution deal (with Mercury Records stepping into the fray), this CD should be readily available.